My Writing Technologies

My Writing Technologies have evolved and more recently de-evolved over the years.
I grew up learning how to write in kindergarten using a pencil and paper. Later in my high school years, I took calligraphy classes and learned to write with pen and ink and various nibs.

I started working as a page at the public library when I was 15 years old and learned how to type using a manual typewriter and later to use the IBM Selectric typewriter. When the library system introduced Apple IIe computers for patron use, I was assigned to teach workshops on how to use them. The writing software was very limited and I can’t even remember the name of the programs we used except that I didn’t like word processing on the Apple computers and I continued using typewriters for my writing needs.

In the 1980’s while, my husband was working on his computer science degree, I had access to all sorts of computers at home, however nothing was really interesting until he gave me a PC with Windows 3.1 operating system, which had some simple and very basic types of word processing programs. I tried using them, but I stayed with my typewriter for serious writing endeavors.

When Microsoft Office Suite became available, I started using Word and took my IBM to the typewriter graveyard. In the early 1990’s there was a lot of software available for computers that was really creative and inspiring. All sorts of artistic and innovative software that made writing and publishing possible.


After all of these years, I still use Microsoft word for my word processing, however I use a mechanical pencil (to save trees) and paper to keep a journal of my personal observations and drawings. I’ve used the computer for so long now, that it makes my arm and hand tired to write.
Most recently, for a writing assignment, I started experimenting by writing with non-traditional materials and methods and I ended up going back to the basics. Using dirt, sticks, mud, sand, shells, rocks, branches, flowers, leaves, bark etc.

After all of my experimenting, I’m still going to stay with MS Word. It’s a lot faster and cleaner.